Champions of the Sydney CDI 3-Star – part 2

It’s now only eight weeks before Australia’s elite horse and rider combinations compete against rivals from other countries at the Sydney CDI – 3 Star. It’s still two weeks before the entries close. Event Director, Toni Venhaus, said “What we do know is that New Zealand is likely to have approximately six horse/riders taking part in various competitions including small tour, big tour, CDI–Y (young rider) and Young Horse. I can also confirm that Canada and Korea will be here and Japan may also take part..”

Over the years, the Prix St Georges Derby (team and individual) has always been one of the highlights of the event. All riders, including Australia and New Zealand, draw their mounts out of a hat the day before the competition. They have only half an hour to familiarise themselves with the horse.

This competition certainly enables riders from other countries to show their ability. For the individual Derby Australia and the USA have won it 5 times, New Zealand has won it 3 times, Great Britain has won it twice, Japan, Canada, Germany and Sweden have won it once. To put this in perspective, it must remember that not all nations except Australia and New Zealand have competed at all Sydney CDI’s. Canada and Great Britain have been a regular for many years as has Great Britain has regularly been involved in more recent years as has Japan.

Australian rider, Rozzie Ryan and Jodie Hartstone from New Zealand have certainly proven their skills by winning the Individual Derby three times. Back in 1992 and 1993 when the CDI was held at Lochinvar this event was won by the amazing Lendon Gray from the USA.

For the Team Derby, Australia has won it eight times, the USA and New Zealand three times, Great Britain twice and Canada and Germany once.

In 1998, we were lucky to have Germany compete. Tanja Truper certainly showed her superior riding skills by winning the Intermediate Freestyle on a borrowed horse – now that’s an achievement!

One of the most impressive results in the history of this event would have to be by Rachael Sanna (nee Downs) on Yardley Charisma. This partnership won all the big tour classes in both 1997 and 1998. Another combination that nearly achieved the same results was Mary Hanna on the New Zealand-bred Mosaic II. In 1994, this combination won all the big tour classes and in 1995 they won the Intermediate II and the Grand Prix.

Maurice Bruce on Neversfelde Kudu and Rozzie Ryan on Jive Magic also set a record by winning all small tour classes in one year. Maurice achieved this in 1999 and ten years later in 2009 Rozzie achieved the same astounding result. Australia’s best performed international rider, Brett Parbery and his partner Victory Salute (pictured) who is owned by another CDI Champion, Carolyn Lieutenant, hold the highest score for the Grand Prix. In 2009 they scored 70.34%. They are only combination to break the 70% mark in the history of the Sydney CDI and this set a new Australian record. What will they score this year?

Following are all top scores to date for the Sydney CDI:

Competition	Year	Horse/Rider	Score
Prix St Georges	2000	H.R.H. - Claire Wickins	71.83%
Intermediate I	2004	Greenoaks Legend - Rozzie Ryan	72%
Int. Freestyle	2006	Whisper IV - Brett Parbery	73.25%
Intermediate II	2009	Jaybee Alabaster - Rachael Sanna	70%
Grand Prix	2009	Victory Salute - Brett Parbery	70.34%
Grand Prix Freestyle	2004	Crisp - Ricky MacMillan	75.28%
Grand Prix Special	1997	Yardley Charisma - Rachael Downs	68.7%
CDI-Y Freestyle	2010	Donnabella - Megan Bryant	70.25%
Advanced Freestyle	2008	Fishermans Friend - Tor van den Berge	73.83%

Make sure you get tickets for this year’s Sydney CDI. This competition has got harder over the years. There are now more horse and rider combinations, which could give these records a run for their money. Some may not be broken but I’m sure some new ones will be set. All details on the event are available at www.sydneycdi.com